James Lee McKelvey Jr., 31, pleaded guilty to felony driving under the influence resulting in death before Circuit Court Judge Derham Cole.

McKelvey is not eligible for parole and must serve at least 80 percent of Cole’s sentence, which also included a $10,100 fine and a recommendation for drug and alcohol treatment.

On April 9, McKelvey ran his Honda Civic into the back of a GMC pickup truck driven by Olin Ridings as it sat at a stop sign at the intersection of Fairfield and Martin Cap roads. McKelvey was traveling about 60 mph when the wreck occurred, according to the SC Highway Patrol. Ridings, of Chesnee, died seven weeks later from injuries sustained in the wreck.

Seventh Circuit Solicitor Barry Barnette told the judge that McKelvey had a .105 blood alcohol level at the time of the crash and tested positive for marijuana.

McKelvey’s criminal history includes shoplifting, drug possession and two prior DUI charges. He received an eight-year prison sentence after being convicted of felony DUI resulting in great bodily injury in 2004.

Ridings’ grandson, Derek Ridings, spoke at the sentencing, telling the judge that his grandfather helped raise him after his own father was killed in a car accident when Derek was just 2 years old. He called the wreck “a terrible incident for both families involved.”

After the sentencing, Derek Ridings said he followed in his grandfather’s footsteps, pursuing a career as a mechanic. He said his grandfather also passed on a love of music and taught him to play the guitar.

“He was a great man. Always kind,” Derek said. “He’d give you the shirt of his back if you needed it.”

Barnette said he was satisfied with McKelvey’s sentence, and cautioned others to think twice before driving while impaired.

“With the holiday season coming up, people need to realize the danger of drinking and driving,” Barnette said. “It’s not worth it. It’s not worth the risk.”

<p>A Chesnee man was sentenced to 21 years behind bars Wednesday after he admitted to driving under the influence earlier this year and causing the death of a 69-year-old man. </p><p>James Lee McKelvey Jr., 31, pleaded guilty to felony driving under the influence resulting in death before Circuit Court Judge Derham Cole. </p><p>McKelvey is not eligible for parole and must serve at least 80 percent of Cole's sentence, which also included a $10,100 fine and a recommendation for drug and alcohol treatment. </p><p>On April 9, McKelvey ran his Honda Civic into the back of a GMC pickup truck driven by Olin Ridings as it sat at a stop sign at the intersection of Fairfield and Martin Cap roads. McKelvey was traveling about 60 mph when the wreck occurred, according to the SC Highway Patrol. Ridings, of Chesnee, died seven weeks later from injuries sustained in the wreck. </p><p>Seventh Circuit Solicitor Barry Barnette told the judge that McKelvey had a .105 blood alcohol level at the time of the crash and tested positive for marijuana.</p><p>McKelvey's criminal history includes shoplifting, drug possession and two prior DUI charges. He received an eight-year prison sentence after being convicted of felony DUI resulting in great bodily injury in 2004.</p><p>Ridings' grandson, Derek Ridings, spoke at the sentencing, telling the judge that his grandfather helped raise him after his own father was killed in a car accident when Derek was just 2 years old. He called the wreck “a terrible incident for both families involved.”</p><p>After the sentencing, Derek Ridings said he followed in his grandfather's footsteps, pursuing a career as a mechanic. He said his grandfather also passed on a love of music and taught him to play the guitar. </p><p>“He was a great man. Always kind,” Derek said. “He'd give you the shirt of his back if you needed it.”</p><p>Barnette said he was satisfied with McKelvey's sentence, and cautioned others to think twice before driving while impaired. </p><p>“With the holiday season coming up, people need to realize the danger of drinking and driving,” Barnette said. “It's not worth it. It's not worth the risk.”</p>